There is no doubt that the majority of Arlington residents, 4,334, who voted in April to retain the four existing travel lanes on the Mass. Ave corridor are estranged from the political power in Arlington, and for good reasons. That political power would have the public believe the following false claims about the soon-to-be-built Mass. Ave. Corridor Project:

First false claim

The Arlington environment will become greener when one westbound travel lane is eliminated on the corridor for a mile, and the two eastbound travel lanes are narrowed. Traffic congestion will decrease for the many thousands of daily corridor users traveling in motor vehicles from this road narrowing and, thus, the roadway will become more efficient for motor vehicles to navigate. Air quality will improve too because travel will become more efficient and less congested.

The truth is that the environment will become less green because traffic congestion and air quality will worsen.

Second false claim

There will be no increase in traffic congestion or time of travel from the absence of left turn lanes at many of the intersections traveling west on the remaining one westbound travel lane. The absence of these left turn lanes will help increase the efficiency of motor vehicle travel on the corridor, taking less time for people riding in transit buses or automobiles to reach their destinations.

The truth is the absence of left turn lanes will increase traffic congestion, often causing significant back ups and less efficient travel.

Third false claim

Not one second will be lost in the response time of emergency vehicles by the removal and narrowing of travel lanes. Improved traffic signalization will make this response time more efficient, thereby improving public safety. The width and number of travel lanes on the corridor are immaterial regarding the response times of emergency vehicles.

The truth is that many valuable seconds will be added to the response times of emergency vehicles because of the removal and narrowing of corridor travel lanes.

Fourth false claim

There will no increase in side street cut-through traffic. Since the narrowing of the corridor will improve the efficiency of corridor travel by decreasing traffic congestion, there will be no need for motorists to abandon travel on the corridor.

The truth is that traffic congestion will increase along with traffic back ups and therefore side street cut-through traffic will rise dramatically.

Fifth false claim

The two bicycle lanes added to the corridor will provide a safe and efficient environment for the many more bicyclists who will ride on the corridor due to these safe bicycle lanes. It is not at all unsafe that when a truck double parks to make a delivery to any of the corridor businesses it will block the entire 5-foot bike lane and extend at least 5- eet into the adjacent travel lane. That part of the roadway design will also help increase travel efficiency and decrease traffic congestion.

Page 2 of 2 - The truth is that the bike lanes shoehorned into the narrower, heavily trafficked and more traffic-congested corridor will provide an unsafe environment for these bicyclists, far less safe than the nearby Minuteman Bikeway.

Sixth false claim

Not adding any high-visibility pedestrian activated crossing signals at any crosswalk locations including the three where pedestrians were hit and killed over the past 25 years has no bearing on the safety of pedestrians crossing the corridor. Those signals are not needed.

The truth is the absence of any such crossing signals, coupled with the dimmer street lights recently installed, undermines the safety of pedestrians crossing the corridor, especially at dusk and night.

Seventh false claim

Narrowing the corridor will be a boon for East Arlington corridor businesses since travel to and from the corridor will become more efficient for customers and those making deliveries.

The truth is that travel to and from the corridor will become far more congested and less efficient, and the increased hassle will undermine corridor businesses.

Regarding these seven false claims about the Mass. Ave. Corridor Project, the principles of honest and good government focused on the public interest of the vast majority, untainted by anything untoward, have been undermined in Arlington by political power.

Eric Berger lives on Hamilton Road. He can be reached directly by email at Berkshire 2@juno.com.